The name 'Cunard' has reigned supreme over the world’s oceans for 160 years and the occasion is being marked today (Sunday) by the Isle of Man Post Office, which has issued a miniature sheet of stamps.

A relationship between Cunard and Royal Mail was formed in the early years and is still in existence.

Mail used to be carried in four foot canvas bags onboard Cunard liners and although the service was originally beset with problems, reliability improved and, by 1929, 15 million letters had been transported.

Even with the arrival of air travel across the Atlantic, a small quantity of mail is still carried and today, Cunard’s liner Queen Elizabeth 2 is preparing to sail her farewell voyage before going into retirement.